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Does anybody know where I could find a standard layout keyboard with a touchpoint?

Yes. I know where to find one! :-) ...

What's that? I'm overdoing the smartassitude?

Bah. Okay.

I'll be nice. :-P

Unicomp sells a keyboard called "On the Stick", which is a 101-keyboard with trackpoint goodness. Here's a link to the catalogue page.

As an added bonus, it will give you buckling spring goodness, as previously seen on keyboards like the IBM Model M.

I haven't tried the keyboard myself (I hate trackpoints, I'm a touchpad person myself), nor have I tried their specific implementation of the buckling spring mechanism, but my PC does have an IBM Model M keyboard connected to it. Type hard or go home! ;-)

Hope this helps.

I currently use a IBM Model-M on my desktop, and I love it, Im assuming the keyboard you linked is not buckling spring, I would like a buckling spring space saver keyboard (no func keys) like that, would be better without the numpad.

Check out http://www.pckeyboard.com/. They have some buckling spring keyboards like the Model-M, and one of them has a mouse nub in the middle like the other poster mentioned. But it is a full sized keyboard, with function keys and num pad. And be warned, they aren't cheap...

Many Unicomp keyboards use the original "buckling spring" mechanism. This one is almost black.

Bah, just do what other "professionals" do -- supply your own tools! I've got a Unicomp keyboard and a trackball that I take with me whenever I get a new gig. Keep the keyboard in your lap and all will be well. Now if I could only find a decent chair...

On that note - does anyone know of a good keyboard produced today that has that old springy-clicky feel that I am talking about (preferably with a split keyboard layout like the natural keyboard)?

Try http://www.pckeyboard.com/ for the Unicomp keyboards. These *are* the old IBM keyboards, spun off firts through Lexmark, and then again. I'm typing one right now.

The feel of a "buckling spring" keyboard has no peer.

hawk

Hmm...

Personally, I use the Memorex spill-proof keyboard. I like the action of the keys, which have a good (though slightly weak) spring mechanism. I also like the fact that it is as small a keyboard as you are likely to find in a standard 104 key configuration. Its low cost doesn't hurt either. You can get one at target.com for about 15 bucks.

I've also heard good things about the old IBM keyboards. These have much tougher spring action, are a good bit noisier, and people swear by them. I've never used one. You can buy one at pckeyboard.com. There is an old review at dansdata.com.

As far as split key designs, I'm not aware of any that offer the features you want. There may be some, but I don't use a split keyboard and I haven't seen anybody that is passionate about any particular brand.

The Model M with Windows keys is now made by Unicomp

It's still a PS/2 interface, so you'll need a converter.

Chip H.

I've used one of those USB to PS/2 keyboard adaptors. It was kind of hit or miss whether the computer would see it, I would have to plug it in and unplug it a few times. It might have to do with the fact that some Model M boards draw more power than newer keyboards and some computers don't like this. Or maybe it's just because my PS/2 to USB converter is cheap junk.

You can go to http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html and get a new IBM Model M style board with Windows keys if you want.

almost any machine you buy nowadays comes with a keyboard that is between shitty and complete shit. If you want to have good keyboards you will have to pay a good amount of money for them, or score some old dirty ones and clean them. as mentioned before the IBM model M's are great, and you can get other buckling spring keyboards from Unicomp I would recommend either the Customizer 140 which goes for $60 or the Endura Pro which goes for $100 and has a laptop style "nipple" pointer. if you want to spend $150 you can get the on-The-Ball which has a trackball in the upper right corner, make sure if you get that one that you select the buckling spring model not the quiet touch model.

Disclaimer, I in no way work for Unicomp or PCKeyboards.com

I second this. I bought an Apple keyboard because I wanted a reasonable quality full size keyboard and was trying to save a couple of inches of desk space. I'm very happy with it.

My next keyboard is probably going to be a tactile pro or a Unicomp Type M, but that really doesn't answer your question.

Whats most offensive lately is moving an extra set of keys (effectively useless keys, I might add) to the insert/home/pageup/pagedown/delete/end block and effectively throwing off the entire layout of that section rendering 20-30 years of standardized layout and familiarity out the window.

You used to be able to buy a cheap 5$ keyboard that had the standard layout, albeit a piece of crap, but it did the job. They're getting harder and harder to find. I couldn't even find one the last time I looked. There were no keyboards without at least 3 extra keys in addition to the windows keys, and this was at Fry's Electronics. Luckily I found a local shop selling old keyboards, and quality at that. I picked up several IBM Model-M PS/2 keyboards. Not as old as the AT style, but they are still over 10 years old and work perfectly. The keys are tactile and the layout is curved somewhat to make hiting the F-Keys easier. I got a few that make the loud clicking sound, and some of the quiet touch ones. They are both high quality keyboards, but I prefer the clicking noise :). Without a doubt these are the best keyboards I have ever owned and am aware of.

Check out this page that talks about them some. I think they sell them here. There's a review here, and a page of devoted model-m lovers here.

You should be able to pick them up used at a local used computer equipment shop, ebay, etc for under 20$ (I got mine for under 5$ a piece).

Your keyboard is waiting for you. Come pick it up.

Agreed. Hell, the Windows & Context keys drive me nuts when they stuff them too close to where the control (lower left) and alt (space right a bit) should be.

This is your ideal. It's time to get used to it, or at least keep a spare one of these around so that when you blow your system up beyond your ability to fix it, someone with the necessary skill can come by and fix it.

Unicomp is listening.

Not affiliated in any way beyond being a happy owner of an IBM keyboard (82-key) & "IBM style" keyboard (101-key) I bought off them ages ago. Damned things last forever (I bought one as a replacement for an IBM keyboard made in the early 90s), and no carpal tunnel woes...

Unicomp bought it from Lexmark/IBM.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html

It's a 101 key old-style clicky keyboard. Buckling spring, no less...

Check here for old-style IBM-like models

I learned touch typing on an old Royal manual typewriter. I got up to 40wpm with an old typing teacher with a ruler in her hand who would whack my wrists if I dropped them. Running that return bar really slowed me down. Much faster on computers.

I last tested at about 93wpm with one of those tutor programs. I'm faster than that now. I prefer one of the old IBM 42H1292 clickety-clack keyboards. I have one rigged up at home, manufactured in 1992 and still chugging along happily. It's a real pleasure to type on. Go here if you want one.

I think that old lady (whose name is now lost in the sands of time) rocks now. She'd be unhappy about my sketchy use of the shift key - i'm frequently using the right shift for right-fingered stuff. Oh well.

They're still being made, with a little variation (you can get the original, in black, with 104 keys, with a trackball built in,122 key models, wireless, with mag stripe reader, etc. )

I have no experience with the company, I just know they exist. [I still have a couple more original Model Ms in storage.

They're still being made, with a little variation (you can get the original, in black, with 104 keys, with a trackball built in,122 key models, wireless, with mag stripe reader, etc. )

I have no experience with the company, I just know they exist. [I still have a couple more original Model Ms in storage.

They're still being made, with a little variation (you can get the original, in black, with 104 keys, with a trackball built in,122 key models, wireless, with mag stripe reader, etc. )

I have no experience with the company, I just know they exist. [I still have a couple more original Model Ms in storage.

They're still being made, with a little variation (you can get the original, in black, with 104 keys, with a trackball built in,122 key models, wireless, with mag stripe reader, etc. )

I have no experience with the company, I just know they exist. [I still have a couple more original Model Ms in storage.

They're still being made, with a little variation (you can get the original, in black, with 104 keys, with a trackball built in,122 key models, wireless, with mag stripe reader, etc. )

I have no experience with the company, I just know they exist. [I still have a couple more original Model Ms in storage.

They're still being made, with a little variation (you can get the original, in black, with 104 keys, with a trackball built in,122 key models, wireless, with mag stripe reader, etc. )

I have no experience with the company, I just know they exist. [I still have a couple more original Model Ms in storage.

I still use CAPS from time to time, aspecially in text files or e-mail for headings. It's only the folk who only use word-processors and HTML e-mail (a pet peeve of mine) that have no need for it. Do I use it a lot? No, but I don't use the caret (^) or bracket ({ and }) keys much either. Should we remove them too? Somehow I think the mathematicians would be rather upset at that prospect.

There is room on a 101-key (or 104-key) keyboard for some rarely used keys, the trick is to keep them out of the way. Blame the board manufacturers for swapping the key placements, not for keeping CAPS_LOCK.

First of all, it's Happy Hacking, second of all, the Happy Hacking Lite is grossly inferior for the original more expensive Happy Hacking.

They do sell the original model with USB , but only in Japan. It's brand new, and not available in the US. The most notable difference is much higher quality construction and higher quality contact mechanism. The non-Lite Happy Hackings are much heavier than the Lite ones and much cheaper for very good reasons.

Another popular keyboard is the Linux 101 from Unicomp, the IBM/Lexmark mechanicial keyboard business unit that got spun off years ago. They promise to sell a USB version of their EnduraPro which is programmable some time this year.

I was looking to buy one of these keyboards to be all 1337 with L1nu>in software and saved myself $70-$250.

First of all, it's Happy Hacking, second of all, the Happy Hacking Lite is grossly inferior for the original more expensive Happy Hacking.

They do sell the original model with USB , but only in Japan. It's brand new, and not available in the US. The most notable difference is much higher quality construction and higher quality contact mechanism. The non-Lite Happy Hackings are much heavier than the Lite ones and much cheaper for very good reasons.

Another popular keyboard is the Linux 101 from Unicomp, the IBM/Lexmark mechanicial keyboard business unit that got spun off years ago. They promise to sell a USB version of their EnduraPro which is programmable some time this year.

I was looking to buy one of these keyboards to be all 1337 with L1nu>in software and saved myself $70-$250.

Will this work on my buckling spring keyboard?

I personally use the Customizer 104 at home, and loved it so much I bought one and brought it in for work. They also have a keyboard optimized for Linux with the old-style Control, Caps Lock and others placed differently, and no pesky Windows keys.

http://www.pckeyboard.com

The "Customizer" model is a very nice keyboard, and reasonably priced at around $60. I bought one of the black ones, and absolutely love it.

It has the mechanical key switches, it's comfortable to use, and it is built like a tank.

I don't have any complaints with it, but my coworkers say it sounds like a machine gun when I type really quick.

Here's a picture of the black model that I have.
http://www.pckeyboard.com/images/ub20416-0.jpg

http://www.pckeyboard.com

The "Customizer" model is a very nice keyboard, and reasonably priced at around $60. I bought one of the black ones, and absolutely love it.

It has the mechanical key switches, it's comfortable to use, and it is built like a tank.

I don't have any complaints with it, but my coworkers say it sounds like a machine gun when I type really quick.

Here's a picture of the black model that I have.
http://www.pckeyboard.com/images/ub20416-0.jpg

http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html

Unicomp "Mighty Mouse" keyboard

Order the black one. It's basically a thinkpad laptop keyboard in an external case. It has connectors for both keyboard and mouse (the finger-stick thing and two buttons).

It's expensive though, $99.

Personally, though, I prefer either my Happy Hacking Keyboard (small, original, non-Lite) or my Sun Type 6 USB keyboard.

Look for the ones with "Buckling spring (BS) technology".

/August.

This site sells basically the same thing as a Model M, but with windows keys. They even make custom keyboards, too!

The only thing my keyboards lack is the Windows/Command key so they can work on a Mac (via a USB converter).

I love my modelm too. If you want something that's not used and has 15 years worth of god-knows-what in the keyboard, get a keyboard from PCKeyboard.com - they bought the ModelM design from Lexmark (who had bought IBM's keyboard division), and still manufacture the Model M under the title "Classic 101" (there's also a 104 key version with those dumb Windows keys, but of course you wouldn't want that). They also sell an extra-badass black version. Both of those keyboards are pricey, but you definately get what you pay for.

I love my modelm too. If you want something that's not used and has 15 years worth of god-knows-what in the keyboard, get a keyboard from PCKeyboard.com - they bought the ModelM design from Lexmark (who had bought IBM's keyboard division), and still manufacture the Model M under the title "Classic 101" (there's also a 104 key version with those dumb Windows keys, but of course you wouldn't want that). They also sell an extra-badass black version. Both of those keyboards are pricey, but you definately get what you pay for.

This company makes some nice 101-key keyboards. Not silent in the least, though. :)

You could also pick up a Sun. Type 5s are less flimsy, but require a RS232 adapter that you generally have to build from scratch.

Didn't you get the memo? The number of buttons is like the size of the subwoofer or speed of the processor! Get with the timez!

1 button mouse: Click your single |3u770n, n00b!
2 button mouse: Stiff, corporate dweeb.
3 button mouse: Trying to be cool
5 button mouse: Cool in a Yugo sort of way
7 button mouse: Almost there.
9 button mouse with scroll wheel: H4x0r g0d!

Of course, I blow everyone away with my 105 button mouse.....

You know, with the amount of responses I always see to this sort of thing on Slashdot in favor of buckling spring mechanisms, I am absolutely amazed that none of the major manufacturers still makes a keyboard like this
Where did you get that idea? There IS a manufacturer still making these; they got the technology licensed from lexmark who got it from IBM.
Check http://www.pckeyboard.com for more information.
And yes, price IS a problem: these keyboards cost ~$50.

A company called Unicomp bought the rights to the original design. They are still available, steel backplate, buckling springs, sensible layout, and all. get 'em here, $50 a pop.

I bought four, one for each machine I use at work (including a Mac - used a USB-PS2 converter) and one for my PC at home. They absolutely kick ass. I saw many of the original IBM keyboards at the Vintage Conputer Festival last weekend - tested the feel and weight of them and the original ones are identical to the current ones from Unicomp as far as I can tell.

If you guys like them so much, I know I like mine. They're still available at pckeyboard.com

Woot! Same here. Noisy beotch, but I love the feel. You can still get them at pckeyboard.com a bit pricy, but well worth it.

I'm sure PcKeyboard will provide adapters for their keywords if the PS/2 port is eliminated.

Not sure if the "Model M" is the same as the "Classic 101", but I think it is.
Great keyboard indeed.

(veering slightly off-topic for a moment) In fact, I'm considering a keyboard with a trackpoint type mouse for my home box, something like this one. Especially if it has a similar feel to the IBM laptop trackpoints... The only downside is that it seems to have only two mouse buttons, and I hate chording those things (the thinkpad I'm using at the moment has 3). It also has the real buckling spring action of the old IBM type M keyboards, which I also love the feel of.

(back on-topic) The unupgradeable interior is the biggest problem though, but aren't laptops getting better in this regard these days? Admittedly, you're never going to be able to throw in the latest, greatest graphics card or other random hardware, but I've never really gone for that on my home (desktop) PC either. Maybe I don't play enough graphics intensive games anymore...

The Model M is an amazing keyboard. So is the model 42H1292. Both are heavy, and both feature the buckling spring switch under each key principle. Dan (from dansdata.com) reviews them here. He calls 'em "battleship boards", goes into the why they make such great keyboards. It's interesting reading, like pretty much most of what Dan writes.

IBM/Lexmark quit making them a while ago, so they are a little hard to find. He did manage to find a company here in the US that uses IBM's old tooling to manufacture new 42H1292 keyboards. They don't have the IBM logo, but they are apparently functionally identical to the IBMs. They're US$50, however.

I was inches away from buying one of the new units, and decided to do some searching before I threw down a hundred dollars. After some searching, I came across a company called IndexComputer that specializes in older OEM computer parts, specifically IBM parts (if you need port covers or whatever for an old ThinkPad, they're the people to talk to). They sell brand new 42H1292 keyboards for $20.

I bought one a couple weeks ago as a test. It's the real deal. Even smells like a pool toy. I'm using it now, actually. I went back and bought three more for a spare and for a couple other computers I have.

For $20 you can't go wrong with a 42H1292. If you really must have a Model M, IndexComputer sells those as well. They're US$50 though. I don't know if a plug-in cable is worth the extra US$30, but if you really have to get your hands on a true Model M, they're the people to talk to.

-B

I see it's been mentioned further on down the page, but PCKeyboard.com might have just the keyboard you need: The Customizer 101. As the name says, it's only got the 101 keys (no piddly Windows keys here).

It uses buckling spring technology, so it's got that satisfying click-clack feel and will last longer than your next two cars will.

PCKEyboard, who own the rights to the venerable IBM high-tactile keyboards (aka "the wing of death").

They also have myriad options and some extremely programmable/configurable keyboards.